UNMIK Headlines 12 May
Association could have greater executive powers (Tribuna)
Sources of the newspaper report that Serb parliamentary representatives, from the political party SLS, held a meeting in Belgrade on 5 May. The Serbian Government instructed them to push for elections as soon as possible, in order to create the conditions to establish the first association of Serb municipalities. Belgrade has received international guarantees that in the event that there are no longer any reserved seats in the Kosovo Assembly, the powers of the association of Serb municipalities will be greater than originally foreseen. According to the same sources, this was also made clear to Kosovo leaders, during consultations on the consequences of going into early elections without a prior decision on reserved seats for Serbs.
New government by the end of July (Tribuna)
The paper reports that Kosovo is expected to get a new government by end of July or early August, and notes that, based on previous experience, the election process could be finalized by the first week of July. However, since all of Kosovo is considered to be one election district, the certification of results will not be able to be completed without reviewing all complaints from political parties. If irregularities are confirmed in certain polling stations, it will be possible to organise a revote and further delay the process. According to the Constitution of Kosovo, the President of Kosovo will call the first meeting of the new Assembly no later than 30 days after the certification of election results.
DiCarlo confirms US support for Kosovo (dailies)
The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Edita Tahiri, visited the United States Mission to the United Nations, where she met with the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo. The latter reconfirmed strong US support for Kosovo and praised the progress made in Kosovo, including achievements made on integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. They also discussed deepening cooperation, andthe increase of recognitions of Kosovo.
Thaci leaves the fate of missing persons in God’s hands (Tribuna)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he has raised the issue of missing persons at all meetings with the Serbian side. “But you are dealing with Serbia, with those who killed us and committed genocide”, he said in a visit to a family of missing persons in Gjakova/Djakovica. “We have raised the issue at the highest level and together with the internationals we will remain hopeful, by having faith in God and justice that this will be resolved”, he added.
Thaci promises fund for agricultural insurance (Koha Ditore)
Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has promised to set up yet another fund. In a visit to a Kosovo company, Thaci said he plans to create a fund for insuring agricultural products and noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is already looking into the possibility of securing agricultural land.
Teuta Rugova on LDK deputy list (Epoke e Re)
Starting Sunday, Teuta Rugova, the daughter of the late President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, has become active in politics. In the early general elections, Rugova will be a candidate for deputy of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). She stated that the youth of Kosovo needed to have a dignified representative at the Assembly.